A good read Dan. I read the parts over that I'm concerned with, and bookmarked it for further reading later. There was some good information on Winter Deer Yard habitat. It suggested Hemlock & Cedar were the best for thermal cover - and suggested maintaining at least 60%-80% Canopy.
We have 3 separate woods about 10-15 acres each (and extend some into neighboring woods). that are Hemlock based. The woods are dark, and Mysterious. Some of the Hemlocks in one of the woods well exceed 100 yrs old and 70 ft tall. We've never managed the woods to be this way - it just happened over years of cuttting wood for firewood, and some small amounts of logging. I like the edges of these areas with hardwoodsfor hunting AND espcially winter bedding. When the snows get deep - they just plink themselves down in these open Hemlocks - where the can see a long ways - and the snow stays soft.
Here's a look at an edge with the Hemlock/Hardwoods from this Early January.
The snow was almost all gone this weekend - but we expect another 12-15 inches in the next couple days - are you getting the Lake Effect too this time Dan?
FH
Habitat Management
